South Arkansas College -

Teacher Education Programs

The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education is for individuals who work in childcare facilities as managers, educators and caregivers. This degree in Early Childhood Education provides advanced courses in management, curriculum development and child behavior. It is designed to meet the mandatory competencies for the Birth through Pre-Kindergarten Teaching Credential required by Act 187, passed by the Arkansas Legislature during the 2009 session. This degree will allow graduates to apply for the Birth through Pre-Kindergarten Teaching Credential from the Division of Early Care and Education in the Department of Human Services. It will allow graduates to be the lead teachers in a non-public school early childhood classroom or in a Head Start classroom as they continue to pursue a Bachelor’s degree from another institution of higher education.

Students will also be qualified to serve as a paraprofessional in a public school pre-kindergarten classroom. It will NOT allow graduates to be lead teachers in a public school pre-kindergarten classroom. The Certificate of Proficiency allows students to meet the requirements to apply for the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) issued by the CDA Council in Washington, DC. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken to satisfy the AAS degree in Early Childhood Development. All students are required to have current cleared maltreatment background check, a criminal background check, and a negative TB skin test.

Faculty and Staff

Oden, Lisa
Education Program Director